It's a whole different kind of dragon for your Dungeons and Dragons games as we explore these creatures in Chinese myth and legend! Here's King Yu the Great fending off a flood dragon: Here are the books I mentioned in the episode: Martin Arnold's The Dragon: Fear and Power Larry Gonick's Cartoon History of the Universe, Vol II Kenneth Hite's Qelong Voting is open in the second Monster Man contest! If you're enjoying the show, why not consider supporting it on Patreon ? You'll get access to lots...
Jul 27, 2018•17 min
It's a special episode of Monster Man, focusing not just on monsters but on a certain mood or tone you might find in your game of Dungeons and Dragons -- the pathetic aesthetic. What is it, why should you add a little of it to your play, and how would you go about it? Thanks to listener Edwin King for sponsoring this special episode! You can find the blog post I mention in this episode here . I don't have a photograph of a pathetic aesthetic, so enjoy this Mimic: Voting is open in the second Mon...
Jul 25, 2018•25 min
There isn't really any Devil Dog in this collection of classic Dungeons and Dragons monsters, because we already covered it -- but enjoy the rest, including the strange but fun Dire Corby! Voting is open in the second Monster Man contest! If you're enjoying the show, why not consider supporting it on Patreon ? You'll get access to lots of new bonus content, including my other podcast, Patron Deities!...
Jul 24, 2018•17 min
More classic Dungeons and Dragons monsters in today's episode, including the harmless but interesting Denzelian and the possibly controversial Styx Angel! Voting is open in the second Monster Man contest! If you're enjoying the show, why not consider supporting it on Patreon ? You'll get access to lots of new bonus content, including my other podcast, Patron Deities!...
Jul 19, 2018•12 min
Two more classic Dungeons and Dragons monsters in today's episode, including one by now-famous SF author Charles Stross! Voting is open in the second Monster Man contest! If you're enjoying the show, why not consider supporting it on Patreon ? You'll get access to lots of new bonus content, including my other podcast, Patron Deities!...
Jul 16, 2018•13 min
Three more classic Dungeons and Dragons monsters in today's episode, including the friendlyish Dakon and the decidedly unfriendly Dark Creeper and Dark Stalker. If you're enjoying the show, why not consider supporting it on Patreon ? You'll get access to lots of new bonus content, including my other podcast, Patron Deities! And don't forget: the second Monster Man contest is ongoing!...
Jul 12, 2018•13 min
Two more classic Dungeons and Dragons monsters in today's episode, including the charming Crabman and the sinister Crypt Thing! Here's a link to the Ford project I mentioned! If you're enjoying the show, why not consider supporting it on Patreon ? You'll get access to lots of new bonus content, including my other podcast, Patron Deities! And don't forget: the second Monster Man contest is ongoing!...
Jul 09, 2018•15 min
Three more classic Dungeons and Dragons monsters in today's episode. We've got the crawly Cifal, the perplexing Clubnek and the startling Coffer Corpse! If you're enjoying the show, why not consider supporting it on Patreon ? You'll get access to lots of new bonus content, including my other podcast, Patron Deities! And don't forget: the second Monster Man contest is ongoing!...
Jul 05, 2018•11 min
Three more classic Dungeons and Dragons monsters feature in today's episode, including the Carbuncle, the Caryatid Column and the Caterwaul! If you're enjoying the show, why not consider supporting it on Patreon ? You'll get access to lots of new bonus content, including my other podcast, Patron Deities! And don't forget: the second Monster Man contest is ongoing!...
Jul 02, 2018•12 min
The Bullywug and the Bunyip are the classic Dungeons and Dragons monsters in this episode -- and each is cool in its own way. If you're enjoying the show, why not consider supporting it on Patreon ? You'll get access to lots of new bonus content, including my other podcast, Patron Deities!
Jun 28, 2018•11 min
Thanks to the generosity of Patreon supporter Stan, we have this special episode about giants in Dungeons and Dragons! In it, I go into a little more detail about Biblical, Norse, and Arthurian giants and suggest some scenario ideas. If you're enjoying the show, why not consider supporting it on Patreon ? You'll get access to lots of new bonus content, including my other podcast, Patron Deities! And don't forget: the second Monster Man contest is ongoing! http://gonzohistorygaming.blogspot.com/2...
Jun 26, 2018•29 min
Two more classic Dungeons and Dragons monsters in today's episode, including a weird little dinosaur and a mischievous sprite that lives in your house and plays tricks on you -- but isn't all bad. If you're enjoying the show, why not consider supporting it on Patreon ? You'll get access to lots of new bonus content, including my other podcast, Patron Deities!
Jun 25, 2018•12 min
Three more classic Dungeons and Dragons monsters in this episode, two of them from the hand of UK gaming legend Ian Livingstone! I think we can see some trends emerging. If you're enjoying the show, why not consider supporting it on Patreon ? You'll get access to lots of new bonus content, including my other podcast, Patron Deities!
Jun 21, 2018•10 min
In this episode, we cover some Dungeons and Dragons monsters from the B section of the Fiend Folio and go in-depth on the Berbalang, a creature from Filipino folklore. If you're enjoying the show, why not consider supporting it on Patreon ? You'll get access to lots of new bonus content, including my other podcast, Patron Deities!
Jun 18, 2018•16 min
Three more classic Dungeons and Dragons monsters in today's episode, from the spooky Apparition to the mysterious Astral Searcher! If you're enjoying the show, why not consider supporting it on Patreon ? You'll get access to lots of new bonus content, including my other podcast, Patron Deities!
Jun 14, 2018•13 min
Three more classic Dungeons and Dragons monsters in today's episode. We've got a grudge monster, a goo guy, and Alexander the Great's pet unibunny. Join us for more Fiend Folio fun! If you're enjoying the show, why not consider supporting it on Patreon ? You'll get access to lots of new bonus content, including my other podcast, Patron Deities!
Jun 11, 2018•14 min
It's time to get our second season of classic Dungeons and Dragons monsters off to a roaring start with three monsters from the Fiend Folio: the regular old bird man, the big handsome bird boy, and the nasty tape mummy. If you're enjoying the show, why not consider supporting it on Patreon ? You'll get access to lots of new bonus content, including my other podcast, Patron Deities!
Jun 07, 2018•15 min
Our second season, covering the Fiend Folio, begins with an overview of the book itself! If you'd like to buy your own copy and follow along, you can do so here: http://drivethrurpg.com/product/50012/Fiend-Folio-1e?affiliate_id=17916
Jun 04, 2018•17 min
This post is going up a day early because I'm out of town over the weekend. Another episode focusing on an ecology article from Dragon Magazine. Season Two officially begins June 2nd!
May 31, 2018•9 min
This special episode covers Odin's shield-maidens, the valkyries! Who are they, where do they come from, and how do you use them in your Dungeons and Dragons games? Let's find out! If you're enjoying the show, why not consider supporting it on Patreon ? You'll get access to lots of new bonus content, including my other podcast, Patron Deities!
May 29, 2018•31 min
It's another special episode as we await the arrival of Season 2 in June. In this one, James takes a look at some articles from older issues of Dragon magazine. Don't worry, the one in the next episode is good!
May 28, 2018•18 min
We look at how another classic RPG handles monsters in this special episode! I mentioned links to buy the game! Here's that first edition: http://drivethrurpg.com/product/130768/Tunnels--Trolls-First-Edition-Reprint?affiliate_id=17916 And here's the 5th edition, which I believe is the basis for the edition I own, although I'm not sure: http://drivethrurpg.com/product/210996/Tunnels--Trolls-Rules-Version-5?affiliate_id=17916 If you're enjoying the show, why not consider supporting it on Patreon ?...
May 24, 2018•14 min
Well, we did it! Season 1 is complete, and with it, the 1977 Advanced Dungeons and Dragons Monster Manual. In this episode, I discuss what I've learned recording the first season and talk about what's in store for the next one. If you're enjoying the show, why not consider supporting it on Patreon ? You'll get access to lots of new bonus content, including my other podcast, Patron Deities!
May 22, 2018•19 min
Braaains! I talk about the history of zombies and their role in your DnD games in today's episode. If you're enjoying the show, why not consider supporting it on Patreon ? You'll get access to lots of new bonus content, including my other podcast, Patron Deities!
May 17, 2018•14 min
This special double-length episode goes into the mythology and game uses of a classic Dungeons and Dragons monster: the Devil Dog! If you liked this episode and want one of your own, why not consider supporting the show on Patreon? You'll also get access to my other podcast, Patron Deities!
May 15, 2018•27 min
The hairy wild man of the Himalayas stalks the snows in this episode of Monster Man! If you're enjoying the show, why not consider supporting it on Patreon ? You'll get access to lots of new bonus content, including my other podcast, Patron Deities!
May 14, 2018•12 min
There's only one monster in the X section of the AD&D 1st Edition Monster Manual, and it's ... real weird. Today we're looking at the Xorn! This episode's going up a little early, for boring mundane scheduling reasons. See you all on Tuesday! If you're enjoying the show, why not consider supporting it on Patreon ? You'll get access to lots of new bonus content, including my other podcast, Patron Deities!
May 11, 2018•11 min
There are three classic Dungeons and Dragons monsters in today's episode: the Wolverine, the Wraith, and the Wyvern. And I am vindicated about thinking wraiths and wights are similar! If you're enjoying the show, why not consider supporting it on Patreon ? You'll get access to lots of new bonus content, including my other podcast, Patron Deities!
May 07, 2018•11 min
As we close in on the finish line, we've got some classic Dungeons and Dragons monsters for you, including the spooky old Wight and the fierce Wolf! If you're enjoying the show, why not consider supporting it on Patreon ? You'll get access to lots of new bonus content, including my other podcast, Patron Deities!
May 03, 2018•12 min
Pop in your headphones, pour yourself a cup of coffee and OH GOD THAT'S NOT A COFFEE POT! It's a special episode all about those mischievous Mimics, courtesy of Patreon backer and all-around good egg Reb! If you'd like to get your own special episode, it's as easy as supporting the show on Patreon! You'll also get access to my other podcast, Patron Deities.
May 01, 2018•23 min
